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Menu News

Simple-to-Use Sauces

Custom Culinary® Gold Label Ready-To-Use Sauces deliver authentic flavor in a convenient heat-and-serve pouch. Quality ingredients include real dairy, freshly sautéed vegetables and authentic wine reductions. Call 866-TRUETASTE or visit www.customculinary.com.

Small Patties, Big Flavor

Cargill Meat Solutions makes it easy to get in on the mini-burger trend. The Angus TNT Mini Beef Patty boasts the flavor and performance of Cargill's award-winning TNT patty lineup. The two-ounce patties combine the upscale, on-trend flavor of Angus beef with the menuing versatility of a mini burger. Call 800-373-6515 or visit www.cargillfoodservice.com.

Sweeter Tea

Summer might be winding down, but tea season never ends. Serve the sweetener that tens of millions of consumers use in their iced tea-Equal®. With no aftertaste and no calories, Equal is the #1 sweetener brand in foodservice. Cause a stir with the top brand by calling 888-658-1948.

New Turkey Burgers

Loaded with flavor, but with a third less fat than beef burgers, Perdue® Turkey Burgers now include flavors like Mediterranean and Woodfire Grille. Make one Caribbean with a topping of fruit salsa, or give a turkey burger a Southwest kick with poblano peppers and chipotle mayonnaise. Plus, operators can earn rewards on select products. Log on to www.perduefoodservice.com.

Ready Garlic

Fresh, ready-to-use Christopher Ranch Heirloom Garlic products are indispensible when it comes to creating Italian, Chinese, Thai and other regional specialties. Items like Whole Peeled Garlic or Roasted Garlic minimize prep work for delicious garlic-based sauces, dressings, entrees and soups. Visit www.christopherranch.com/foodservice or call 800-321-9333.

Easy Tropical Fruit

Some of the most popular “emerging” cuisines — Caribbean, Peruvian, Thai and Burmese — feature the unmistakable flavors of the mango, pineapple, papaya and banana. Dole Fresh Frozen Fruits offers these tropical tastes in resealable five-pound bags. Menu a world of exciting flavors, in items such as Margarita Colada, Philippine Adobo Pork Stir-Fry and Fruity Mango-Chocolate Shortcake. Call 800-723-9868, or for recipes or visit www.dolefoodservice.com.

Sugar Alternative

Monin offers a new, lower-glycemic index, sweetening option for beverages. Monin Agave Sweetener, made with organic Mexican agave nectar, deliciously enhances cocktails, margaritas, iced tea, lemonade, smoothies and specialty coffee beverages with a clean, fresh and subtle nutty taste. Visit www.monin.com/store.

Absinthe Returns

After a 92-year ban on absinthe, Pernod Ricard USA announces the launch of Pernod Absinthe, a revival of Pernod Fils. Pernod Absinthe is available in a 750 ml. size and retails for a suggested price of $69.99. Visit www.pernod.net for more information on Pernod Absinthe and cocktail ideas.

It's Almost Soup Time

Soup season is around the corner and Norpac Foods has the comforting flavors your guests crave on chilly days: Sizzlin' Beef Steak Chili with Beans; Roasted Yukon Potato Cheese; and Cheddar Broccoli. Visit www.norpac.com.

Long on Flavor

The new Shorty's Glazed Mini Pork Rib from Advance Food Company is perfectly seasoned, lean pork that provides a whole muscle bite and tangy barbecue flavor. This versatile item is well suited for sandwiches, wraps, appetizers or kids' menus. Call 800-680-2344 or visit www.advancefoodcompany.com.

Natural Bases

Nestlé Professional introduces new Minor's® All Natural bases. The line is USDA approved as “all natural” and includes All Natural Beef, All Natural Chicken and All Natural Vegetable varieties. Operator support includes recipes and menu ideas. Visit www.nestleprofessional.com.

Serve Safer Topping

The Topping Caddy from Server Products and Rich's accepts a pastry bag of Rich's Whipped Topping and rests inside any ice bath to makes it safer and easier to dispense delicious Rich's® Whipped Topping. Visit www.topping-solutions.com or call 800-558-8722.

Snazzy Side Dish

The rich, cheesy flavor and satisfying potato texture of Classic Casserole® Scalloped Potatoes from Basic American Foods offer a side dish that's versatile enough to be turned into a main course with a few simple ingredients. Call 800-722-2084.

NRA Show Winners

ConAgra Foodservice announced three winners from its “Know It All and Have It All” contest held at ConAgra's 2008 NRA booth. Three winners, who displayed the most knowldge of ConAgra foods, received $1,000 in ConAgra products. (Pictured are Bill Leyden, ConAgra Foodservice; winner Todd Brannock, Tigg's, Belmont, MI and Tom Rupkey, ConAgra Foodservice)

Healthier Liqueur

Your savviest guests will appreciate VeeV, the world's first açai spirit. Consumers on the cutting edge of health news know that the açaí, an exotic Brazilian fruit, offers 57 percent more antioxidants than pomegranates or blueberries. The 60-proof liqueur mixes like vodka with a smoother finish. Serve it simply chilled neat, on the rocks with a splash of soda and lime, or in a VeeV signature cocktail. For more information, visit www.veevlife.com.

Banana Stack

The new Banana Cha Cha from Sweet Street Desserts is easy to store, easy to serve and makes for a dramatic plate presentation. It features moist banana chocolate cake soaked with sweet banana syrup, a chocolate shortbread crust, chocolate truffle filling, crisp milk chocolate banana crunch, buttery caramel, smooth banana cream icing, a chocolate drizzle and banana chips. Visit www.sweetstreet.com or call 800-793-3897.

Sandwich Simplicity

Natural Choice® from Hormel now has four new bulk selections in its line of natural, presliced deli meats. Among the choices are hardwood-smoked ham, oven-roasted turkey and roast beef. For product information, visit www.hormelfoodservice.com.

Crunchy Toppings

Exceptionally versatile, Fresh Gourmet® Crispy Onions from Sugar Foods will add natural onion flavor and crispy crunch to just about any menu item. The possibilities are endless: sprinkle on omelets, add to salads and wraps, layer on steaks and burgers or top off your signature sides. Visit www.foodservice.freshgourmet.com or call 888-708-2222.

Summer Movie Time!

The Idaho Potato Commission's latest recipe and instructional DVD offers a new take on potatoes. There are six exciting and dramatic recipe demonstrations including Idaho Potato Lollipops with Dipping Sauces. Order it via email at [email protected] or call 208-334-2350. Or, download it at www.idahopotato.com/fspro.

Buy Green

You and your customers will feel “greener” when Simplot products are offered. Simplot explores new technologies and alternative solutions to lower its impact on the environment. Find out more at www.simplotfoods.com.

Wholesome Rice

Respond to the demand for healthful whole grains with Uncle Ben's® whole grain products, recognized by the Whole Grains Council's Whole Grain Stamp. Among the choices: Uncle Ben's Infused® Chicken & Wild Rice Pilaf. For product information, call 800-432-2331 or visit www.MARSfoodservices.com.

New Ideas for Beef

The Beef Checkoff has created “New Menu Destinations,” a worldly collection of recipes for foodservice operators. Filled with on-trend beef applications from around the world, it features recipes that include the newest beef cuts: The New Delmonico Steak and Boneless Country-Style Beef Ribs. Order your free copy by calling 800-922-2373 or visit www.beeffoodservice.com.

Chowder Cook-Off

Sea Watch International was a co-sponsor of this year's Newport, RI Chowder Cook-Off. Local restaurants, sponsors and press were among the 300 attendees enjoying the local entertainment and a variety of clam dishes prepared by Sea Watch. Winners of the oldest chowder contest in the world included Kippers Restaurant, South Yarmouth, MA; The Mooring Seafood Kitchen, Newport, RI; and The Boathouse, Tiverton, RI.

Dessert Decisions

Hershey®'s Food Service recently partnered with Synovate® Research Co. to determine how brand names affect customer dessert purchase decisions. 81 percent of consumers expect branded products to taste better. For recipe ideas and dessert ideas from Hershey's, visit www.hersheyfoodservice.com or call 877-772-3556.

Zoned Heated Shelf

Vollrath's new Cayenne® Heated Shelves offer a dual-zone design that allows part of the shelf to be switched off when not in use. This amounts to a 33 percent energy savings during off-peak times. Call 866-VOLLRATH or visit www.vollrathco.com.

Glass of Bubbly

Your “green” guests are increasingly rejecting bottled water. iSi offers a simple solution that turns quality tap water into sparkling water. The iSi Soda Siphon offers 32-oz. capacity and is available in brushed aluminum, black, white and pastel finishes. Powered by the iSi CO2 charger, the siphon creates sparkling water and tableside drama. Call 800-447-2426 or visit www.isinorthamerica.com.

Cubes and Storage

Hoshizaki America introduces its under-counter KM Series Crescent Cuber Ice Machines with built-in storage. The KM-101BAH Crescent Cuber produces up to 115 lbs. of ice within 24 hours and has a built-in storage bin to hold 56 lbs. of cubes. The KM-151BAH produces up to 146 lbs. per day and holds 93 lbs. Visit www.hoshizaki.com.

Video Contest

Are you a budding movie producer? Hobart's Win a Free CLe commercial contest gives foodservice professionals an opportunity to flaunt their creatve side and video talents. Create the best CL e Warewasher commercial and win a new Hobart L44e Warewasher. Get those cameras rolling! Your deadline is December 31, 2008. Find out more at www.hobartcorp.com/winafreecle.

Greener Insulation

Delfield products are now insulated with a new, very efficient, environmentally friendly polyurethane foam. The new foam uses a propellant, methyl formate, that has an Ozone Depletion Potential and Global Warming Potential rating of zero. Find out more about the Delfield Company and its products at www.delfield.com or call 800-733-8821.

Greener Glass

Grow green with Cardinal innovation. Arc International/Cardinal International share a commitment to set innovation and technology standards and to grow them “clean and green.” Cardinal is nurturing these seeds of change. The company aligned with the United Nations Global Compact, committed to universal principles in areas that include the environment; is a three-star member of The Green Organisation; and is part of the AERES and PNAQ European environmetal programs. Learn more at www.cardinalglass.com.

Neater Spices

CMS introduces Flavorseal® Flavor Wraps™ Spice and Flavor Transfer Sheets. Apply spices faster and more uniformly with less waste; flavors and glazes without messy liquids. Add images, such as grill marks, without expensive equipment. Available in customized Dissolvable Flavor Sheets, Cooking Spice Transfer Sheets and Non-Cooking Spice Transfer Sheets. Call 866-769-1500 or visit www.cmsflavorseal.com.

Stain-Free Stone

New Everlife stain-resistant natural stone countertops eliminate granite's greatest drawback-its vulnerability to stains. Everlife countertops are available in a variety of colors, from Bianco Romano to Aristocrat Black. Visit www.innovativestone.com.

Tyson Scholars

Tyson Food Service recently awarded 10 $5,000 scholarships to juniors and seniors at Johnson & Wales University's College of Culinary Arts or Hospitality College. Tyson's partnership with Johnson & Wales is designed to empower students to become tomorrow's foodservice leaders.

Clams Fuel Athlete

Sea Watch International is sponsoring Sea Watch Tri-Clam Racing. The sponsorship seeks to promote the nutritional benefits of clams. Tri-Clam Racing features just one Triathlete, Brian Shea, a Sea Watch sales manager, who incorporates Sea Watch clams into his training diet. You can track the action at www.seawatch.com.

Folgers Joins Smucker

The J. M. Smucker Co. and The Procter & Gamble Co. announced the signing of a definitive agreement to merge the Folgers Coffee business into The J. M. Smucker Co. in a stock transaction valued at approximately $3.3 billion. Folgers joins a widely recognized portfolio of brands that include Smucker's®, Jif®, Crisco®, Pillsbury®, Eagle Brand®, Hungry Jack®, Robin Hood® and Bick's®. “Folgers is a perfect strategic fit within our portfolio of leading and iconic North American food brands,” says Tim Smucker, chairman and co-chief executive officer of the J.M. Smucker Co.

Marketing Award

The International Association of Culinary Professionals recently presented the USA Rice Federation with a 2008 Award of Excellence for its Corporate Marketing Campaign. The award recognized USA Rice's comprehensive, Web-centric foodservice program, “Rethink U.S. Rice: Endless Menu Possibilities.” For menu ideas, visit www.menurice.com.

New High Liner Exec

Keith Decker has been named president and chief operating officer of High Liner Foods USA. High Liner is one of the largest processors and marketers of prepared, value-added frozen seafood. Decker's career with Fishery Products International began in 1995 and has included a number of positions, including executive vice president of sales.

60th Anniversary

Par-Way Tryson, best known for its flagship Vegalene® brand, is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Since 1948, the company has produced innovative pan and food release oils. The company credits its success to a “family atmosphere and team spirit,” and to “strategically located plants that assure prompt global delivery.”

Tabasco Chef Honored

Jason R. Gronlund, corporate executive chef and director of culinary services and ingredient sales for McIlhenny Company and Tabasco® Brand Products, was recently honored with the 2008 President's Award by the Research Chefs Association. The award is given each year based on the criteria of dedication, involvement and professional contributions of RCA member chefs and food scientists. Gronlund was selected as one of three recipients from a national pool of 2,200 RCA members. Paul McIlhenny, president and c.e.o. of McIlhenny Co., said, “We congratulate Jason on this outstanding achievement and his unique abiity to create bold, interesting flavors.”

Enodis: New VP

Enodis USA announced the appointment of Dennis Ball to the position of vice president of business development for the U.S. Ball has worked in the foodservice industry for 35 years, and his resume incudes positions at Pitco/MagiKitch'n, Blodgett, Vulcan, Traulsen, Stanley Knight and Keating..

Delfield Honored

The Delfield Company has been named Outstanding Supplier for Refrigeration by the Supply and Equipment Foodservice Alliance (SEFA). The success of Delfield, which grew its business with SEFA members to more than $2 million last year, was recognized with the award at the recent SEFA 22nd Annual Partership Conference. Pictured are Graham Tillotson of Delfield, Tedde Reid of SEFA and Bil Keske of Delfield.

New Look, Slogan

Kikkoman, Japan unveiled a new corporate logo and slogan, which will be used by Kikkoman Group companies worldwide. Kikkoman International Inc. has now become Kikkoman Sales USA, Inc. The company will continue to oversee the marketing and sales of Kikkoman products in North America, including Kikkoman Soy and Teriyaki Sauces. The new coporate logo includes the slogan “Seasoning Your Life,” reflecting Kikkoman's promise “to fill the world with the joy of food by delivering wholehearted flavor.”

Sales Exec Named

Pitco, MagiKitch'n and Blodgett have announced a new sales executive appointment. Mark Pumphret has been named group vice president of sales. Pumphret is a 28-year foodservice veteran with a degree from the New England Culinary Institute.